Alleged thief arrested in Vernon County

A man from Windsor, Missouri, is in custody after a lengthy theft investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office. Read the full press release below:

On August 13, 2022, the VCSO took a report of a theft of 3 zero-turn mowers from Heritage Tractor (John Deere) in Nevada worth an estimated $33,200.

Detectives began gathering surveillance footage from the business and other nearby businesses. Footage of a suspect was sent to area law enforcement agencies and throughout the investigation detectives also identified a second suspect in the case.

Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher said investigators were able to back track from the theft and see where the suspects had been prior to the theft. “They found two suspects in the theft were at Orchelyns, Buzz’s BBQ and Pilot before the theft,” said Mosher. The Sheriff said the investigators were able to identify additional stolen items from Orchelyns during the investigation.

During the investigation, investigators began conducting surveillance in Windsor, MO, involving one of the suspects. During the surveillance investigators gathered information that led to a search warrant in conjunction with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. During the search warrant, 2 of the 3 John Deere lawn mowers were recovered along with 2 John Deere tractors that are suspected to be stolen from the same business in 2021. The investigation is continuing, and property is still being identified.

It is estimated that nearly $60,000 worth of stolen property was recovered during the operation.

Once suspect has been taken into custody and identified as 32 year-old Nathan M. McCormack of Windsor, MO. McCormack is being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $50,000 cash only bond.